The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-25
Observation-Disclosures
4 Remarkable Increase in the Orders
Membership in the Last Few Years.
Work of the Organization in Caring for Old
Soldiers in Need of Aid, and Looking
After the Orphans Of Veterans.

The old Indiana soldiers of the war of the re-
belion have always taken a great interest in
sheir Grand Army organization. They have
supported it with the zeal and loyalty they car
ried into their countrys service, and given it an
influence and Importance surpassed By no other
State When the first Grand Army order was
organized, Indiana had a larger representation
IN 1t than any State outside OF New York and
Pennsylvania. There too much politics in
that organization 20 give lasting in
fuence for the benefit of the old soldier
and the elements Of dIsintegration worked
SO rapidly that in three years the order
wrecked. Ten years afterwards another Indiana
department. was organized in keeping with the
new principles of the Grand Army, that
chewed politics. Since then the growth OF the
order in this State has been unprecedented. Il
began anew, for there was not pos: of the first
organization in existence The new posts for
two or three years after 70, were few and scat
tered, but the reformed Grand Army acquired
an impetus that quickly brought the Indiana
Department to the front again 1t now numbers
%. 600 members with a constant musterinc-in of
new recruits.
at would SEEM" said the reporter TO Assist
ant-sdjutaut General Walker. '.that about all
the old soldiers in the country are in the Grand
Army
Far from it," he replied. The national
membership is 375, 600, but there are at least
$4,000 more who still out of the order. It
will continue in existence until there not
enough veterans to form posts and departments.
Indiana is typical State in this respect and
right here let me say the heroism Of her soldiers
IN the last has done more than anything
else to attract attention to the State When
the rebellion began Hoosier courage was a. a
discount in the East, but the magnificent fight
ing qualities Indiana displayed in the Eastern
and Western armies changed all that SO
effectively that it is considered among the
old comrades throughout the country to
be honor TO claim a record of service with an
Indiana regiment. 1t is this spirit which helps
materially the prosperity of the order in the
= State, for every old veteran wants to be where
come OF the glory reflect him individual
~ and becomes a mem Der OF the Grand Army
The average age at enlistment for the war was
twenty five years. and that makes the average
about fifty years. 1t is very rare
finds member under forty or over
seventy. AS the old volunteer advances in age
his recollections of the war become dear to him,
and the feeling of comradeship is keener. He
seeks the G. A. r. post for full fellow
ship in sentiment which he cannot find
outside of the organization, because the
generation that has come CD since the
war cannot enter sympatheticay as he
"isnes INTO the history or events OF which he
was serviceable and heroic part. A great
many old soldiers went West directly after the
war. and in the scattered settlements they
too far apart form posts But in recent
years the fresh tide of new corners has increased
the ranks of the veterans. When they could
get fifteen or twenty together a post would be
organized. In this way the membership has in
creased greatly"
THE relief system, no doubt has great deal
to do with keeping up the me mbership," was sug-
gested.
Yes, as the years advance the feeling of
comradeship becomes stronger. l do not know
OF an instance whore old veteran failed to d.
vide what he had with a coDrade if the latter
was deserving and needed help In the G.. A.
K. this helping one another has been systema-
tized so thoroughly that it would be almost i'm
possible for one in want or needing assistance
escape the attention of his post. At every meet
ing night our post donates money secure
watchers for some sick comrade to buy him
medicines or provide him with necessities.
The Indiana Department spends $40 900
a year in this manner. Every dol
themselves This is exclusive of what is done
by tho Womans Relief Corps for that orsaniza-
ton is entirely separate from the Grand Army,
and by its own acts makes itself auxiliary.
Since the Grand Army was established over So
Goo. 900 has been expended by its several depart
ments in relieving comrades No matter whether
a comrade has pension not tho relief is ex-
tended. if ne needs 1t. But the good the order
liz doing does not stop here. Each post has
committee on employment the duty of which is
TO provide places for unemployed soldiers. Not
long ago man well to do became
financially embarrassed. His property went to
satisfy his creditors without leaving him
dollar. The employment committee of a GER
tain post procured situation for him fair
salary, and in a year he will no doubt bs
IL good circumstances again. This is only
OF many instances could recite Yet after all, |
the order is not wealthy for the average mem |
Der must work for his living and If it could be |
ascertained, it is probable that the average
come OF a Grand Army man will not reach $500. |
The dues are low and the per capita tax is re- |
tanned at figure which will yield enough to pay |
EXPENSES. yet there is hardly post IN the State |
which does not have a small balance, and the |
Indiana Department has little money loan.
There saaried officers in the department /
except the assistant Acknowledgment and quar- /
teruaster"
There Is impression that majority of |
pensioners are wasteful Of the means they pro- /
cure from tne government but 1t IS said that the
Grand Army has helped many wayward veterans /
TO take care of their dollars. Most of them
add the pension to other small funds in support
ing their families, but only few accumulate
any considerable amount. The veteran is not
exempted from the rule of getting living by
bard knocks. If he is disabled and permanently
enfeebled the National Soldiers Homes offer
retreat for comfort for the of his life Appli
cants for admission to these homes are rapidly
increasing. At Dayton alone the Home officers
have applications from 1000 more than the
buildings can accommodate. But the Grand Army
as State and national organization is active
in caring for those who cannot help
is being delightfully."- pursued in this
State, is the removal of soldiers and soldiers
widows and children from poor houses The
former when it be done, are sent to the
National Homes. while the children are taken to
the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home at
Knightstown Employment and homes
general mas issued instructions to each post to
make list of soldiers families in It's town or
neigh borhood. This is 10 be used in assisting
the committee OF the department having that
work in charge in reaching. if possible any
needy veterans family and orphans in Indiana.